While suspension devices have gained in popularity in the fitness industry, there is limited information on the effects of hand-grip orientations during pulling movements as compared to traditional methods. Objective: To investigate the electromyographical activity of the primary and secondary musculature during a pronated and supinated grip inverted row while using a suspension training device. Twenty individuals volunteered to participate in the current study. Electromyographical (EMG) values were obtained from the latissimus dorsi (LD), posterior deltoid (PD), middle trapezius (MT), and biceps brachii (BB). Subjects performed four variations of a traditional inverted row using two handgrips: pronated row (IR), pronated suspended-row (SR), supinated row (IRsup), and supinated suspended-row (SRsup). In terms of the LD, SR provided the highest activation. However the only difference was within IRsup, which was significantly lower than both pronated-grip rows (i.e., IR and SR). SRsup resulted in significantly greater (p < 0.05) activation of the BB when compared to the remaining exercises. SR provided significantly greater (p < 0.05) PD activity, while EMG activity of the MT was significantly lower in SRsup compared to all other movements. The results indicate that significant differences exist in muscular activity during hand-grip variations as well as with the use of an instability device. The major findings were the decreases seen in PD and MT when using a supinated grip. As a result, suspension devices may provide an acute suitable alternative to traditional bodyweight training.
Key Findings
